Two-layer foam mattress with complementary body contours

ABSTRACT

A mattress with two layers. The upper layer includes a flat top surface, and the lower layer has a flat bottom surface. A contoured surface defines the lower boundary of the upper layer and the upper boundary of the lower layer. The contour generally matches the curvature of an individual&#39;s body when recumbent. More specifically, the bottom surface of the upper layer is shaped to match the curvature of individual&#39;s body, while the top surface of the lower layer is complementary to the curvature of the individual&#39;s body. When so arranged, the bottom surface of the top layer and top surface of the bottom layer are complementary to one another, and the top layer may be nested upon the bottom layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a mattress that is customized to provide optimal support and pressure that varies along the horizontal length of a person's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals struggle with chronic back pain, muscle soreness, joint inflammation, and a lack of sleep. Although a variety of factors can contribute to such health-related problems, poor support during times of rest or sleep can be an underlying cause.

Typically, mattresses are made of soft materials to support a person or subject while lying horizontally during a time of rest. Mattresses are often constructed using flat layers of uniform thickness from the head to foot of the mattress. The comfort and overall health of a person during sleep depends largely upon the mattress providing correct amounts of support and pressure along the length of the person's body. Mattresses made of flat layers with uniform thickness fail to provide sufficiently varying levels of support and pressure along the length of a person's body. The resulting inadequate support can lead to a lack of sleep and a variety of health-related problems.

To address the problem with flat support surfaces of uniform thickness, mattresses composed of a variety of materials or layers of varying thickness have been proposed. Such mattresses often consist of contoured layers with an arbitrary shape or a geometrical pattern. However, these designs only partially solve the problem of unvarying mattress support and pressure along the person's body while lying horizontally and fail to accommodate the wide range and variety of body types, sizes, and lengths. Thus, there is a need for an improved mattress that more fully solves the issue of inadequate support and pressure along the length of one's body while in a sleeping position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed mattress comprises a custom-designed mattress or portion thereof that provides optimal support to one or more individuals. The mattress comprises at least two layers, and at least one of the layers includes a top surface that is contoured to match the general shape of a user's body.

In one embodiment, the mattress comprises two layers. An individual lying horizontally on their side or in the left lateral recumbent position includes a lower curvature or contour. The upper layer includes a flat top surface, and the lower layer has a flat bottom surface. A contoured surface defines the lower boundary of the upper layer and the upper boundary of the lower layer. The contour generally matches the curvature of the individual's body. More specifically, the bottom surface of the upper layer is shaped to match the curvature of individual's body, while the top surface of the lower layer is complementary to the curvature of the individual's body. When so arranged, the bottom surface of the top layer and top surface of the bottom layer are complementary to one another, and the top layer may be nested upon the bottom layer.

The contoured surface may generally comprise lower curvature or contour areas corresponding to the approximate shoulder and hip locations, and one or more higher areas, corresponding to the head, feet, and/or waist. The surface may be contoured smoothly, or alternatively, in a step-wise fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a side schematic side view of a mattress under one embodiment. The dorsal side of a subject lying in the left lateral recumbent position can be seen above the mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate manner.

The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

Wherever any of the phrases “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be nonlimiting.

The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited. Therefore, for example, the phrase “wherein the lever extends vertically” means “wherein the lever extends substantially vertically” so long as a precise vertical arrangement is not necessary for the lever to perform its function.

The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises,” “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etc. Thus, for example, “a process involving steps a, b, and c” means that the process includes at least steps a, b and c. Wherever the terms “a” or “an” are used, “one or more” is understood, unless such interpretation is nonsensical in context.

As used herein the term “about” is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around, or “in the region of” When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20 percent up or down (higher or lower).

The presently disclosed mattress includes a custom-designed mattress or portion thereof that provides optimal support to one or more individuals. The mattress comprises at least two layers, and at least one of the layers includes a top surface that is contoured to match the general shape of a user's body.

FIG. 1 shows a mattress under one embodiment 100 that comprises two layers 110, 120. An individual 105 is shown lying horizontally on their side or in the left lateral recumbent position. When so positioned, the individual's body includes a lower curvature or contour 150. Also shown is a mattress 100 with an upper layer 110 and a lower layer 120. The upper layer includes a flat top surface 112, and the lower layer has a flat bottom surface 123. A contoured surface 155 defines the lower boundary of the upper layer 110 and the upper boundary of the lower layer 120.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the contour 155 between the two layers 110, 120 of the mattress 100 generally matches curvature of the individual's body 150. More specifically, the bottom surface of the upper layer 110 is shaped to match the curvature 150 of individual's body, while the top surface of the lower layer 120 is complementary to the curvature 150 of the individual's body. When so arranged, the bottom surface of the top layer 110 and top surface of the bottom layer 120 are complementary to one another, and the top layer 110 may be nested upon the bottom layer 120 as shown.

The contoured surface 150 may generally comprise lower curvature or contour areas corresponding to the approximate shoulder and hip locations, and one or more higher areas, corresponding to the head, feet, and/or waist. The surface may be contoured smoothly, or alternatively, in a step-wise fashion.

In alternative embodiments, the specific body profile 150 of a specific user may be formed into the internal construction of the mattress 100 to form an internal contour 155 that provides consistent support and pressure to the user across the entire length of the user's body 105. Thus, the support and pressure experienced by the user is consistent from their head to their feet, which provides for a more comfortable sleeping experience, and reduces pain associated with improper body support.

In embodiments, the thickness of one layer differs from the thickness of the other. The density or firmness of the at least two layers also can vary from one another (for example, the lower layer may be more firm, or less firm, than the upper layer). The at least two layers can be comprised of different materials or can be comprised of the same materials. In one embodiment, at least one layer is comprised of a foam material.

In an embodiment, the bottom layer 120 is comprised of material that is significantly denser than the material of the top layer 110. The material of the top layer 110 can be substantially softer than the material of the bottom layer 120. This arrangement permits a user or individual to experience a comfortable, soft upper layer, while benefiting from the additional support of a firm lower layer.

Although FIG. 1 shows a user lying on their side in a left lateral recumbent position, alternative embodiments are configured to accommodate any sleeping position. Embodiments can be customized to the user's preferred sleeping position. The mattress 100 can be configured to support a user sleeping in the left lateral recumbent position, right lateral recumbent position, supine position, prone position, fetal position, or any other sleeping position or combinations of sleeping positions.

Embodiments can be configured to provide customized support for more than one user. In embodiments, customized support is provided for two users that depends on the each user's body type, body profile, size, weight, preferred sleeping position, recommended sleeping position, or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a mattress pad or a floor mat that comprises one or more layers customized fit the contour of a user's body profile.

Embodiments of the present invention can also be configured to provide customized support for a user in a sitting position. In such embodiments, a multiple layered structure can be in the form of one or more cushions or pillows that are conformed to match the body profile of the user. The cushion may be used on a couch, chair, car seat, stool, or any other apparatus used to support an individual in a sitting position.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific substances and procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mattress, comprising: a top layer with an upper surface and lower surface; and a bottom layer with an upper surface and lower surface; wherein the upper surface of the bottom layer comprises at least one downward contour surface or indentation corresponding to approximate shoulder and/or hip locations of a recumbent user; and wherein the lower surface of the top layer is complementary to the upper surface of the bottom layer.
 2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the bottom layer comprises a smoothly curved contour.
 3. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the contour surface or indentation matches the specific body profile of a user.
 4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the bottom layer comprises at least one upward contour surface or indentation corresponding to approximate head and/or foot locations of the recumbent user.
 5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the top layer is different than the thickness of the bottom layer.
 6. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the density of the top layer is different than the thickness of the bottom layer.
 7. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the firmness of the top layer is different than the thickness of the bottom layer.
 8. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the firmness of the top layer is different than the thickness of the bottom layer.
 9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the firmness or density of the bottom layer is greater than the corresponding firmness or density of the bottom layer. 